Wax it

[intheruff]

I searched the thread and found no mention of waxing your sticks (watch it boys). I was going thru a period of losing my grip when the meter topped 140 so bought some Zildjen wax... and man what a difference (beats the hell out of duct tape)! Its like the sticks really stick to your hands. I wonder if I'm the only one lame enough to need this grip enhancement? Do any of you have other ideas on improving grip? I'm doing a few stamina exercises to help the grip, such as the 'pyramid of pain' and Roddy's 10 minute killer (don't know what it's called), but nothing has helped more than the wax. Just curious if I'm alone in this and what other things I might do to help.

[Guz2]

Hmmm...I'm always dropping sticks, maybe I'll try some wax out. Thanks for that!

[Trench.one]

I know this isn't a very rock answer, but your hands might just be really dry! I do a lot of manual work that dries out my hands.
Answer: Moisturizer! might sound soft, but it'll help!

[Guz2]

BTW, could you use surf wax instead?

[zambizzi]

I tried some things back when I was using VF 5As - they're so smooth they're hard to hang on to while keeping a loose grip. I never tried wax but I did experiment with Steady Freddy's suggestion of Plasti-Dip. That stuff works great but in the end I just wanted simplicity so I found a stick I like that has a more easily-grippable finish...VF Akira Jimbo Sigs. I also like Weckl and DeJohnette sigs....all have great non-slip lacquer or paint finishes.

[LTNINGFan]

In '91-ish I discovered the ProMark Naturals. It really helped me...but I haven't tried the wax, though. I may give it a shot for the heck of it.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Years ago I used to sand the finish off of my sticks and now I use Plasti-Dip a product found in hardware stores for dipping tool handles. It's the best thing I have found.
8 bucks a can and you can do about 12 pair of sticks.
Try this link

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25351

[Deathmetalconga]

Years ago I used to sand the finish off of my sticks and now I use Plasti-Dip a product found in hardware stores for dipping tool handles. It's the best thing I have found.
8 bucks a can and you can do about 12 pair of sticks.
Try this link

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25351

Did you ever find a way to keep it from peeling off? Maybe sanding the stick before application?

[oops]

Real men sand their hands to make them rougher.

For pansies: You could try shopping different brands of sticks. I know Vater makes a kind called "Nude" that's unfinished and might grip better.

http://www.vater.com/newproducts/nude.cfm

[Jonesy]

sanding them works for me.

Also, I once sanded a small groove into the fulcrum of the stick (think Danny Carey's signature sticks) and that worked pretty well.

[LTNINGFan]

^^^ Pansie :) That would be me :)




Real men sand their hands to make them rougher.

For pansies: You could try shopping different brands of sticks. I know Vater makes a kind called "Nude" that's unfinished and might grip better.

http://www.vater.com/newproducts/nude.cfm

[Late Bloomer]

The stuff is called Sex Wax down in Australia. I use it regularly these days. It does work well.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Did you ever find a way to keep it from peeling off? Maybe sanding the stick before application?

The only place it peeled was at the edge by the fulcrum but I found but using a razor or scalpel and making that edge completely straight it stayed much longer.

[intheruff]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. It's good to know I'm not alone in this. However, sanding, dipping, scapals, razors, shopping all kinds of sticks (lots of hits and missis there I bet), sounds like a lot of time and money compared to just a quick stick rub on the ol' wax block. I imagine a block (six bucks if I remember right) will probably do a few hundred sticks. I've been using the wax on and off for a few months and hardly made a dent in the block. Sweaty hands might be part of my problem. Sanding my hands? Maybe I should give that a try... haha

[GRUNTERSDAD]

My only concern is where does the wax end up, on the cymbals, drums etc. If not the price is right.

[intheruff]

"My only concern is where does the wax end up"


You only put it where you hold the sticks, so it doesn't get on the cymbals or heads except where you touch them (no biggee compared to the benefit). But a little does get on the snare hoop where you do rim shots. The stuff doesn't feel uncomfortable or sticky, yet keeps the sticks where you want em' without hardly any effort. The little residue on the snare hoop is very miniscule... scraping it off gives me something to do between songs... haha.

[ivegottadisorder]

When I was in school, I had an instructor that swore by the product "Gorilla Snot"

Much like the famed Gorilla Glue, this stuff is awesome for holding onto sticks.

I used to implement it with my drumline because of the awesome abilities of my bass drummers of dropping their sticks. Slap a little bit of this stuff on their sticks and they never dropped them again.

I don't use it when I play the set because I change sticks a lot. But if you are having a lot of problems, I suggest you try it out.

[sticky.widget]

When I was in school, I had an instructor that swore by the product "Gorilla Snot"

Much like the famed Gorilla Glue, this stuff is awesome for holding onto sticks..


Use it. Love it. Bought the T-Shirt. Wife likes T-shirt so much I don't get to wear it.

I also second Vater Nudes.

Cheers!

[slingerland755]

Barry Borden put first aid tape about 3 inches from the bottom of the stick, so if BB did it, I had to do it. It really helped. If you don't like the wax, give it a try.

[CBPEAVEY]

I don't usually drop sticks when I'm practicing, but when I play in front of a crowd I put this stuff called Gorilla Snot on my sticks. Works a treat and I've never dropped a stick on stage.

[intheruff]

I'm surprised no ones' mentioned wading up duct tape (Alabama chrome) and rolling it over your hands and sticks for a little traction... haha. But I've actually seen that done! Nothing like rocken' on the back roads of N. Idaho!

[ENRICO]

I use overgrips (made for tennis rackets ) because is thinner , ligther and cheapper than regular grips.

[Funky Crêpe]

promark mae a stick called pro grip, should check it out....has rubber along the bottom third of the stick
i want to get a pair, thiging of getting them this week

[GRUNTERSDAD]

If you want cheap wax just use an old candle. should do the trick.
I also just ordered two pair of Zildjian Dip 7A wood tip sticks. I thought I would compare their dip to
my process. Plus I got a stick bag for each pair I ordered.

[intheruff]

Gruntersdad, I wondered if you ever 'graduated' to the Zildjen (or whatever) wax lol. You guys are paying 'big' premiums for the trick sticks, gloves, etc., when all ya' need is some good cheap z wax. IMHO that is. I use it for practice and playing and since fall haven't used but a quarter of the wax (six bucks I think).